Cash to conserve wildlife at wetland

A NATIONALLY important wetland in North Yorkshire is set to receive a boost for its wildlife conservation work.

The Long Preston Wet Grassland Project was started in 2004 with the aim of enhancing important habitats of the Ribble floodplain between Long Preston and Settle.

This is achieved by working closely with farmers to manage the environment for farming and wildlife. In early spring the site provides a habitat of national importance for a range of breeding waders, as well as other winter wildfowl species such as teal, pintail and wigeon.

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Now the project is continuing after securing a grant of £18,347 from the Yorkshire Dales Leader programme, a community-led rural development grant scheme.

More than £4,000 has also been secured from the RSPB and Natural England.

The new phase will bring a minimum of 60 acres into management and will include planting woodland.

Dave Tayler, the deputy director at the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust who is involved in the project, said: “The site now provides a valuable and varied habitat for nationally important wading birds and aquatic plants.”